Bodycode - November 2009 ENGLISH VERSION

CM>>>Alan the first thing I remarked when I listened to your new Bodycode-album called “Immune” was the fact that the sound of this album is different compared to its forerunner “ The Conservation of Electric Charge“ which was released in 2006. “Immune” owns a kind of soulful House - Techno sound merged with a kind of a melancholic mood. The album kicks-off with “Meaning and Memories” a track with that starts with a kind of ethnic guitar sound followed by a classic drum machine explosion than the track turns into a modern dance track. To be honest, at first sight I was fascinated by the classic drum machine sounds. Then I started … no I tried to find out the meaning behind the “picture language” of the music merged together with the titles name. So I came to the conclusion that the different sounds- the guitar and the classic drum machine sounds metamorphosing to a deep dancetrack – stands for the title of this song. After listening carefully to the album I found out that the album is full of symbols and hints. So is it right to say that “Immune” is a more personal album like its forerunner, a kind of personal diary or call it scrapbook of your feelings and emotions… Or am I completely wrong?

Alan>>>Yes I think you've hit the nail on the head! The album is a more emotional approach to my Bodycode sound and all the sounds and nuances employed are meant to add to that effect!

CM>>>So what happened in the last three years since the release of your debut album as Bodycode? Is the change in your sound a result of moving to Berlin – I mean get inspiration by the clubs, artist, the vibes of this city…or can “Immune” also be called a result of some changes in your private life?

Alan>>> Immune is all about change. Most of the album was composed in Lisbon and really only one track in Berlin. I don't feel that living in Berlin for the 10 months I did had any influence on my sound. In fact I'm now living back in Lisbon. What played an important part in the composition of this album was the direct influence of nature and the natural cycles I was finding myself in.

CM>>>I was very impressed by the lyrics and the mood that the title song “Immune” disperses – a kind of melancholic feeling and a positive confident feeling at the same time. Am I right that this song is the most personal song of this album?

Alan>>>Yes you are right. The words are actually taken from an old science book I have from the 70's explaining the natural process of entropy, that nothing in this world is immune from change. I felt it's a concept that can easily be transposed onto all walks of life.

CM>>>The whole album is absolute stunning – but the track “What did you say” is besides the title track a very special track. Maybe I am completely wrong – but the voice in this song sounds kind of organic and inhuman at the same time – have you used a special effect on the vocal part of this track?

Alan>>>Funny, but I didn't use any effect, really.. It's my longtime friend on vocals, also my partner in our label sudelectronic.

CM>>>The other thing that I fascinates me about the voice is the fact that it the way she sings sounds kind of cool, kind of arrogant and at the same time despaired. Magic?

Alan>>>Yes I agree, I find it coming though especially when I play it live. " we are one "

CM>>>Can this mixture of coolness and soulful feelings I remarked in this track be seen as a pictorial allegory for the club scene or better say club life?

Alan>>>My music is based on a idealized club environment but also needs to stand the test of time. So I try and add elements that lends it these qualities…

CM>>>As a person who was raised in South Africa and lived in Portugal and finally in Berlin, I would think that you aren’t afraid of changes that happens in each persons life – are there things … changes you are afraid of?

Alan>>>I think everyone is afraid of change. I think I;ve just had experience in relocating. In fact I am living in Lisbon again. Change is inevitable. I think you just need the courage to deal with it.

CM>>>Hm… is “Immune” a kind of concept album? Or would you say it follows no concept just a spirit, a special circumstance in life?

Alan>>>I wouldn't say it’s a concept album. It's a set of emotions over a certain time frame.

CM>>>What was the ignition to create “Immune”? And when have you started to create the music for the album?

Alan>>>The total process took about two years. There was no ignition as such, just a constant stream of things.

CM>>>Listening to both of your albums I was fascinated each time about the fact that you create such an organic analogue sound. Especially the drum sounds own such an alive dynamic. What’s the secret behind your sound – do you use special equipment – kind of vintage drum machines?

Alan>>>No special secrets, just time invested and experience.

CM>>>Hopefully the next question won’t bore you too much – but can you explain the meaning of your artists name Bodycode?

Alan>>>The general theme of my bodycode music is to find a rhythmic code to unlock the body and hence unlock the mind. A " Bodyode "!

CM>>>Would you call yourself a spiritual person?

Alan>>> I believe that one good turn deserves another and so and so on.

CM>>>What about the reactions about “Immune” are you happy with the ones you get? And did it also happen that you felt misunderstood with the album?

Alan>>>I must admit I’m very happy with the reactions so far.

CM>>>Besides “Bodycode” you also produce music as “Portable”. Can you explain me the difference between these two monikers?

Alan>>>Well, Portable is the more experimental. More vocal lead end of the project.

CM>>>Let’s dig in your bio – how did you get in touch with electronic music for the first time?

Alan>>>As a teenager I was introduced to Chicago house music in illegal parties in South Africa.This became my first love and I took it from there.

CM>>>And what fascinated – fascinates you most about electronic music?

Alan>>>The speed of evolution of computers and equipment used to compose it.

CM>>>I remarked a kind of classic Detroit/Chigaco influence in your music merged with a “Jazzy” easiness in your music. So I asked myself which influences would you name for your musical socialisation?

Alan>>>I hardly listen to jazz. I listen to traditional African music like Toumani Diabate. Or classical music like Bach, so I guess that kind of style influences it.

CM>>>What Instrument have you learned first and are you a member of an artists or musician family?

Alan>>>No, I am the only musician in the family.

CM>>>Besides music, what kind of things are you interested in?

Alan>>> Definitely Science fiction and video art.

CM>>>Before you moved to Berlin you lived for a while in Lisbon. What was the reason moving to Lisbon? Have you studied there, or worked there for a while or was it a kind of curiosity moving to this wonderful town?

Alan>>> I wanted to be close to the ocean… that was the main reason.

CM>>>In my opinion Lisbon is a good place to party in very special clubs – but I also had the feeling that in Portugal and especially in Lisbon the people are inspired by a connate melancholy that can be heard in the Fado music. What about your feelings about Lisbon?

Alan>>>It’s an emotional city, you can feel it everywhere.

CM>>>Both of your Bodycode albums been released on the Ghostly label… How did you get in touch with them for the first time – and how did you get signed on this special label?

Alan>>>I was on tour in US and they came to my gigs at Portable and asked if I wanted to do a project for them, which became Bodycode.

CM>>>How must I picture myself a day in your life – are you constantly in the search for developing new songs and sounds?

Alan>>>No , I take breaks and let life breathe through my days and find inspiration from that.

CM>>>Which music fascinates you? And to which kind of music do listen to in the moment?

Alan>>>Mostly classical at the moment and old ethiopiques compilations and music from the 70's from guiness...

CM>>>This year “Ghostly” becomes ten years – your personal feeling about this special birthday of this innovative label? What’s your personal birthday message?

Alan>>>Haha - Keep on Trucking

CM>>>Which people are immune of change – the ones without a heart?

Alan>>> I guess so.

CM>>>What do you need for a perfect day in your life?

Alan>>>Love!

www.myspace.com/bodycodemusic

www.ghostly.com/artists/bodycode